MTH Z1000 and Proto 1 Locomotives

[RRaddict]

I have recently purchased a MTH Rio Grande SD9 locomotive.  It doesn't work with the MTH Z1000 but it does work with the Lionel ZW 275 Watt transformer.  I contacted MTH and they stated that the Z1000 has a wild sine so it is not compatible with the Z1000 and said to get a new transformer or an older one.  A MTH Z4000 is out of the question.  Does anyone know if a Z500 or Z750 is any different?

Kevin

[phillyreading]

Are you sure you mean the Z-1000? I have two of them and have NO complaints with them, the Z-1000 runs everything very well. Lionel's CW-80 has the nickname "Can't Work 80", and will not work with MTH's PS-2 engines as it sends out a scrambled signal, or unfamiliar signal, as far the PS-2 engine sees it.

[dougdagrump]

Kevin, I have some PS-1 equipped pieces that will work and some won't work with the Z-1000. Kinda hit-n-miss.

[RRaddict]

I forgot to mention that it is only early Premeire Proto 1 locomotives that I have had this problem with.  I have a lot of Proto 1 that run great with the Z 1000 and others that don't.  The MTH service guy said to get an older  or newer transformer to use but wasn't clear if I was to get an older Lionel or older MTH transformer.  I alrady knew that the Z 4000 would work as the  guy at the local shop checked it out.  I have an MTH Z 750 too but I don't know if it will work or not.  My locomotives are not in my posession right now to try them. If anyone has tried a Z 750 with one of these types of locomotives?  I know the Lionel ZW 80 works but the horn and bell buttons have a very slow response and delay when the buttons are pushed.

Kevin

[RRaddict]

I forgot to mention that it is only early Premeire Proto 1 locomotives that I have had this problem with.  I have a lot of Proto 1 that run great with the Z 1000 and others that don't.  The MTH service guy said to get an older  or newer transformer to use but wasn't clear if I was to get an older Lionel or older MTH transformer.  I alrady knew that the Z 4000 would work as the  guy at the local shop checked it out.  I have an MTH Z 750 too but I don't know if it will work or not.  My locomotives are not in my posession right now to try them. If anyone has tried a Z 750 with one of these types of locomotives?  I know the Lionel ZW 80 works but the horn and bell buttons have a very slow response and delay when the buttons are pushed.

Kevin

[gunrunnerjohn]

FWIW, I was testing a PS1 locomotive with the Z750 and the MTH IR Remote & Lockon and it was NOT happy at all, kept doing odd things like suddenly ringing the bell or horn and control of motion was erratic.  I thought the locomotive had problems, but I connected a KW transformer and it suddenly started working 100%.  It appear that MTH didn't make their electronic controlled transformers work with their own products! 

From the instruction manual for that device.

Note: You cannot use the Remote Control and Remote Lock-on with
pre-1997 versions of Proto-Sound™ or with Proto-One™, Proto-Plus™,
Proto-Deluxe II™, whatever the date.

I wouldn't be surprised to find a similar statement in the manual for the Z1000 controller.

[RRaddict]

I will check the manual of the Z 1000. I have also got two different stories from MTH the first being that they recognized the problem and would fix it at no cost and the next that there is no fix and I must upgrade to Proto 2.0. They said a Proto 1.0 replacement board would not fix it.  The second comment is contrary to what they told me the first time.  I have a replacement board but is it really my job to fix a manufacturer defect?  This seems to be the norm for MTH getting the run around is their thing.